Character theme parks where you can immerse yourselfin the world of anime and manga (1⁄2)

“Character theme parks,” where you can step into the world of popular manga and meet with characters, are like a holy land for fans. We have covered two talked about facilities, one that has opened this summer and another that has been renovated. First we’ll pay a visit to “J-World Tokyo.”

Paying a visit to “J-World Tokyo,” which opened this summer!

“Weekly Shonen Jump” and “Jump SQ” have the status of being Japan’s national manga magazines. “J-World Tokyo,” a theme park where you can relish the chance to experience the worlds of Shonen Jump’s popular works, opened on July 11 in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

The crown jewels of the facility are its 5 attractions, which include a “One Piece Area,” a “Dragon Ball Area,” and a “Naruto Area.” In addition, the facility features “Heroes Arena,” where you can enjoy mini-attractions and photo sticker machines, “Amusement Arena,” which is full of original prizes that you can’t get anywhere else, and also a food court and store.

The first highlight is “Center Core.” If you press the touch panel in the center, characters appear on a wall monitor and greet you.

There are photo spots, where you can recreate famous scenes from each work, around the park!

“Visitors can actively experience each work as the main character. The concept is 'kyotaikan entertainment’--an all-encompassing form of entertainment. We have carefully crafted the facility so that you can feel the world of each work not just through the attractions, but also in the corridors and the food court. You can immerse yourself in works from Jump throughout the entire facility,” says Mr. Takano, a Namco PR representative.

We will report on just what kind of fun highlights are scattered throughout the park.

This is the “Amusement Arena,” a game corner that features goods from 10 different works gathered at “J-World Tokyo.”

Here is the “J-World Store,” where you can purchase character goods. There are also snacks and figures being sold on a limited basis!

Recommended Attractions

We recommend these two attractions to guests who don't speak Japanese!

Shoot! “Kamehameha”!!

This attraction is a 3D experience where guests can perform the “Kamehameha” (turtle destruction wave), the special move of Dragon Ball’s main character, Son Goku. Put on a pair of 3D glasses and step into the venue of the “Tenkaichi Budokai”--World Martial Arts Tournament--and life-sized characters will appear before your eyes. You are sure to get hooked on the illusion that you’ve stepped into the world of Dragon Ball and the exhilaration of the moment your Kamehameha hits the opponent! 800 yen⁄1 time.

“Soldier Dock” Adventure

Get into the car, which rotates a full horizontal 360 degrees, and experience the world of One Piece through this theater-style ride attraction. There are even points in the story, which unfurls energetically on a giant screen and as a stage production, in which the guests can participate. There is a photo spot, and after getting off the ride, you can purchase your photograph with an original frame. 800 yen⁄1 time.

Here are some more popular attractions!

A Fierce Fight! “Ninkai Taisen Emaki”!!
Follow the instructions you hear over a radio transceiver and aim for the front lines of the “Ninkai Taisen” (Shinobi World War) in this walkthrough-style attraction in the Naruto area. 800 yen⁄1 time.

Seek! “Dragon Balls”!!
Take the Dragon Radar into one hand, sneak onto the enemy’s base, and collect Dragon Balls. This is an exploration-type attraction. 800 yen⁄1 time.

“Shiro Mokuba” Carousel
This is a carousel with the theme of characters from One Piece. The sparkling Nami mount is especially popular! 400 yen⁄1 time.

Enjoy the fair-style“Heroes Arena”

Try your hand at mini-attractions including games and drawings at booths based on 7 different works, such as “Gin Tama” and “Hunter x Hunter”! 300 yen⁄1 game.

Immerse yourself in the world of Jump at the food court!

At “J-World Kitchen” and “J-Patisserie,” there are around 30 food items on the menu, featuring Jump works as motifs. Take note not only of their fun appearance, but also the delicious flavors!

Enjoy one of the "Hottest Entertainment Shows" in Japan at Robot Restaurant in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo.Energetic girls and giant brightly-colored robots performs a 60-minute show of dancing in different themes.